This is Arguably the Best NHL Player from North Dakota

When it comes to North Dakotans in the NHL, surprisingly there aren't that many. But let's talk about the best one our state has produced.

Of course The University of North Dakota is a hockey powerhouse and sends a lot of its talent to the NHL. But because UND is such a good hockey school, it gives the school the ability to recruit players from all over the country.

A majority of the more than 250 UND alumni that have played in the NHL are not from North Dakota.

Fansided chose to look at the best NHL players from every state and they determined that in North Dakota, that honor belongs to Paul Gaustad.

When looking at the 13 total players in the NHL born in North Dakota, he is the obvious choice. He played in 727 career games. That alone says something. Good players play for a long time. Not-so-good players do not.

After him, the next most games played was by Tim Jackman with 483 total NHL games played. After that, no NHL player born in North Dakota ever played more than 150 games.

Gaustad was born in Fargo and was drafted in 2000 by the Buffalo Sabres where he played until the 2011-2012 season. That year he was traded to the Nashville Predators.

After the end of last season Gaustad announced his retirement.

Guastad was known as a very good face-off man as well as a fighter but managed 231 points in his 727 career games. His teammates called him, "Goose."

Gaustad announced his retirement on Instagram and said he wanted to spend more time with his family and kids.